"We aren't going to stay in this hotel, are we?"
"No, we are going to a pension Aunt Helen knows of. There isn't room for us there now, but next week there will be, and we shall probably stay there till we go to Italy. Aunt Helen says it is nice and homelike, and we can be left there in perfect safety if mother and she have to go away."
"Will there be any other little girls?"
"I don't know. Very likely there will be. Now I must go and practice that dreadful Bach thing that I am getting ready for to-morrow." She gave Jack a hug and went off.
"Nan's such a nice old comfort," said Jack to her mother. "She always smooths out the wrinkles for me. I hope she won't get married before I do."
"I don't think I would begin to worry about that just yet," said Mrs. Corner smiling.
"Oh, I'm not worrying; I'm just taking time by the oar-lock."
Mrs. Corner laughed outright while Jack wondered why.
"Mayn't we go out into that pretty square where the big fountain is?" she asked.
"I don't like you to go alone."